JUNE: SIMPLE GARDENING - As Spring blooms merge with the fresh foliage of Summer plants, gardens (mine included) are at their best and most beautiful this moment in time.

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(Free-Press-Release.com) June 2, 2011 -- Alpines: Continue weeding, hoeing and dead-heading. Trim trailing plants, replant vigorous plants in showery weather. Plants can be repositioned in late September or early October. Careful watering in the evening is needed during very dry weather.

Bulbs: Lift spring bulbs on which the leaves have turned yellow towards the end of the month. Tulips need to be lifted regularly but most bulbs including daffodils only if there is overcrowding and poor quality flowers will require dividing and replanting in fresh soil.

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JUNE: SIMPLE GARDENING - As Spring blooms merge with the fresh foliage of Summer plants, gardens (mine included) are at their best and most beautiful this moment in time.

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To avoid damaging the bulbs, insert the fork deep into the soil well clear
of the clump to get under the roots.
Trim and store bulbs: When the bulbs are really dry remove dead leaves, roots and skin, discard damage bulbs. Store in boxes or trays in a cool dry shed.

Carnations and Pinks: Continue disbudding border carnations. Take action against pest. Order carnations and pinks for Autumn planting. Remove old flower stems from pinks. Propagate border by layering, after six weeks sever each layer from its parent. Lift within 3-4 weeks after severing pot or replant.

Chrysanthemums: Outdoor plants set out in May will be ready for stopping (see April). This can be done at anytime between mid-May and the middle of June.
For outdoor flower plants do not delay this stop later than June 21st, otherwise the flowers will be too late too avoid the Autumn frosts.
Water thoroughly at least once a week in periods of little or no rain and a overhead spray of clean water at the end of hot sunny days. Spray regularly with a organic spray to control aphids and leaf miners.

Dahlias: Plant out young dahlias by the middle of the month, within two or three weeks of growth pinch out the tip of each leading shoot, this will promote bushy growth and increase flowering shoots providing a long in succession of flowers. Stake and tie loosely when they are approximately 18 inches in height.
Dahlias need plenty of water in the growing season. A application of mulch, garden compost, straw, sawdust or a inch of peat will help to retain moisture. Water well before applying any of the above.

Flowers from seeds: Complete the planting of half-hardy annuals this month. Clear borders and hardened-off plants thoroughly before setting these out in their flowering position (see May). Support taller growing plants, this is important in exposed areas.

Biennials & Perennials: Sow hardy biennials and perennials if this was not done last month. Hoe regularly to control weeds.

Gladioli: It is important to keep the ground moist up to the time the first flower appear therefore watering (a good soak) is essential if the weather is dry. Insufficent watering will encourage the roots to remain near the surface.

Hardy herbaceus plants: Herbaceous borders should remain colourful from June until September. Cut down early fading flowering plants within 3 inches of ground level. This will encourage fresh crop of foliage for the summer.

Trim oriental poppies after flowering, left untrimmed they tend to leave a bare patch, however, bare patches can be filled with plants such as cornflower (Centaurea) or geraniums. Divide primroses and replant during showery weather.

Hedges: Escallonia hedges if trimmed now, will produce a fine show of pink or white flowers during August and September.

Heathers: Winter flowering varieties such as Erica Carnea make a lot of new growth at this time of year. Use these shoots as cuttings. Trim back the remaining growth and mulch plants with peat..

Irises: Tall breaded irises are at their best this month. It maybe necessary to support the stems with light canes round a group to keep them upright. Cut blooms for indoor decoration as required, remove the remainer as they die to allow space for new flowers. Add fertiliser to encourage new growth for the following year. Sun-baking is essential for good flowering. Check leaves for leaf spots (see April).

Lilies: Spray fortnightly against botrytis disease if the weather is muggy and damp, use a organic systemic insecticide to control aphids. Keep pot-grown lilies adequately watered.

Roses: Hoe the soil to improve aeration and remove weed.
Disbudding for long stem quality blooms for cutting, remove side buds as soon as it is possible to pick them with finger and thumb. Trace and remove brier shoots and suckers on the main stems of standard roses appearing through the soil.

Rhododendrons & Azaleas: Two diseases to be aware of (1) Japanese lace wing fly which hatches in June, the larvae feed on the undersides of the leaves turning them yellow and spotty. They can be seen in clusters under the leaves. If left to reach adult stage they will infect the new growth of the plant by laying their eggs on the mid-rib under the leaves. Spray with a systemic insecticide 3 or 4 weeks apart. Control is usually complete after a couple of sprays.
(2) Bud blast disease - blackens and rot flower buds. The fungus travels up the young growth and attack the next year's buds. Control is difficult, remove and burn affected shoots and spray with a non-lime fungicide.

Trees & Shrubs: Ornamental trees are at their best even those that have finished blooming. Their fresh young foliage are one of nature's beauty.

Newly planted trees or shrubs - Keep a clear space of approximately 4 feet in diameter around the base of the trunk of for the first two years. Keep this area mulched, remove self sown trees.
Propagation in the open- Layer shoots of Clematis and Chaenomeles japonica in pots of sandy the peat. Do not sever from the parent plant for about a year then the layers should be well rooted.
Underglass - Begin to take cuttings of softwood and half-ripe shoots 4-6 inches with a sharp knife across the stems just below the joint and insert cuttings in sandy soil in a open shaded cold frame. When the roots are formed in early autumn pot the cuttings singly in pots. Leave in closed cold frame during the winter and transplant next spring.

Cuttings of Clematis, Fuchsia and Philadelphus will do better if placed in a green house propagating frame at 16 deg.(61 deg.F) until well rooted.
Take half ripe cuttings of Magnolia and Viburnum with a slip of old wood(or heel) attached. Young Magnolia plants need at least a year in cold frame before transplanting into their flowering positions.
Cut Brooms hard back as soon as they have finished flowering. The shoots must be cut hard back to prevent seeding themselves, do not cut into the old wood when pruning.

Remove spent flower heads of Lilacs and thin out weak shoots with secateurs. Dead-head Laburnums, remove the dead flowers as soon as possible after flowering. The seeds and leaves are poisonous.
Never plant a Laburnum tree near a pool, leaves blown in are capable of killing fish.
Senecio (Brachyglottis 'Sunshine') to maintain the effect of the silver grey foliage one needs to remove the flower buds as soon as they appear.

Watering: Gardeners have been watering regularly throughout May. Watering in dry spells is as important now as in May. Plants transpire at a greater rate and more moisture is lost from the soil by evaporation as the sun's heat increases.

More information can be found online at http://nodrogaltogethergardens.com

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